Take a vacation from your car (even if you drive here, park for awhile and enjoy the experience! The year-round temperate climate and oceanfront geography makes it easy to get around without a car. There is much to see and do (or not do, like relaxing) within walking and bicycling distance of the train station, downtown, Old Mission, historic district, theatre districts and the Waterfront. See How to Get Around / Maps.

20% Savings on Amtrak Plus Specials on Hotels, Wine/Dine & Activities

The Santa Barbara Car Free Project invites visitors to show their train tickets to Santa Barbara County and enjoy car free fun and experiences through December 31, 2018. The new 2018 “Take the Train” offer features specials on Amtrak train tickets, bicycling, sailing cruises, horseback riding, museum and zoo visits as well as hotel savings and more. Lyz Hoffman, coordinator of the award-winning project at Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District remarked, “Just show your train ticket when you check into a participating hotel to receive special offers. Plus, our partners are also offering some great car free experiences, like a walking food-and-wine tour, sailing excursion, whale watching, wine tasting, and a visit to a museum or the zoo.” Complete details at 2018 Car Free Experience.

Twelve Amtrak trains arrive/depart Santa Barbara every day including the Coast Starlight (Los Angeles to Seattle) plus the popular Pacific Surfliner (between San Diego, Los Angeles and San Luis Obispo). Santa Barbara Car Free travelers can save 20% on the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner® (plus associated thruway buses) for travel to or from the following Santa Barbara County stations: Carpinteria, Santa Barbara, University of California-Santa Barbara, Goleta, Guadalupe, Lompoc, Surf, Solvang, Santa Maria and Buellton. Tickets must be purchased three days in advance through this link (certain restrictions apply): see Train.